Customer Reviews (44)

About as sound of a luggage investment as you can makeReview by Lisa at Two Wheeled Nomad

As a location independent moto-traveller that’s ridden from the planet’s bottom to the top, I’m all about light and tight. Particularly as a female rider at 115-pounds, I loathe the idea of a full-size luggage system comprising three 45-liter boxes on the back. Why? Because given half the chance I’d fill it! About as fun as leprosy upon picking my own bike up. Having honed a ‘less is more’ streamlined approach to packing over the last four years on the road, coupled with a mounting desire to ride more dirt, I was curious to field-test Aerostich’s tank panniers. Ideal for those where load and weight distribution rules all.

Installation was speedy and straightforward. No crash bars required, the black bags (also available in hi-vis and a roomier 8.8-liters), at the more compact 6.6-liters, slotted over the gas tank without an ounce of fuss. Stabilizing each of the bags upon neoprene pads with a sturdy hook and loop webbing strap, stops any shifting, flapping or sagging while riding. (Keeping the paint job pristine to boot.) All made nice and taut by adjustable bungee cords for optimum fitment, the panniers articulate well astride the bike. Double duty, they also offer up some protection for your legs in windy conditions and the gas tank itself.

While there’s still sufficient space for a tank bag, function meets performance. The convenience of immediate access to anything you don’t wish to rummage for in your main luggage, without even getting off your steed if preferred, is biking bliss. In fact, each bag will accommodate absolutely anything up to 12x7.5x4.5 inches. Although I’ll add, items that you don’t mind making contact with the ground should you drop your bike. Or getting wet unless a dry bag (not included) is used. Mine are used predominantly as a grocery getter although there’s available room in which I can also stow another pair of riding gloves, a hat and mid layer, spare bungee cords, visor cleaner and a microfiber lint cloth.

Thoughtful details added include outside pockets I use for pens, spare ziplock bags and a shopping tote. There’s a storm flap over the zippers, web straps for attaching further items and reflective accents to enhance visibility at night. Although there are cheaper solutions on the market, I’m not confident that they would possess the same fit and finish, nor standard of construction employed and 1000 Denier Cordura nylon, which to my mind really showcase the experience that have gone into them. The panniers are practical, not pretty. Nor stylish but they are resilient.

Conclusion
Over a year-long assessment, just about all weathers have had the nonstop pleasure of hurling abuse at the panniers through North America. Impervious to the elements, they perform effectively in cold and ice as they do in the blazing hot sunshine. Despite multiple slow speed crashes, they bear no tears or scuff-marks. Surprisingly, they look like new to this day thanks to the durability and their resistance to abrasion—leaving the integrity of the bags unaffected and intact.

Undeniably, they err on the gaucho more than macho but because they’re built simply with endless supplies of endurance, I don’t doubt they’ll be part of my luggage ensemble for many years to come. Unreservedly, I’d recommend the bags to any rider seeking a highly serviceable addition for their cargo. And let’s face it, when I’m throwing the DR around off-road, I’m never going to wish for an overladen bike dragging me down and holding me back. Those days are gone.

Cons
• Will not fit astride all motorcycles with heavy-duty crash bars (Posted on 10/30/17)

Tough, long lasting and adaptableReview by DaFoole

Not sure when I bought these but it was quite a while ago. They have lived on a 92 and 06 KLR, R100GS, 02 BMW GSA, V-Strom, 90 R100 Paris/Dakar, 07 BMW GSA, a DRZ 400 with an IMS tank, 06 Triumph Tiger and currently a Super Tenere'. They have also seen use on the Ural. They were adaptable to all these bikes with a bit of fiddling. All bikes had a tank bag of one type or another. The panniers have been in all weather and have close to 300,000 miles on them, almost all of these miles overloaded and sometimes stuffed to the gills. (Hey, I ALWAYS carry too much stuff...) I use them for necessities (tire irons, tire repair kit, 1st aid stuff, toiletries, gloves, rain gear) to prevent forgetting these items when taking a different bike. Easier to slap on the panniers. Over the years they've developed a nice patina (gray with ancient and new bug splats) but all the seams are solid, zippers work fine, the shock cord and plastic hooks supplied are still going strong after being stretched unmercifully 1000's of times. They are NOT waterproof so use ziplock bags accordingly. A bit bulky and uncool if you're a Starbucks kinda rider, but still cool in a dorky kinda way... Some riders will see them as adding a bit of gravitas to your ride, others realize you just can't pack light... As others have noted, they provide a fair amount of wind protection to your knees in colder weather...or make them hotter when it's 100+ degrees out. Priced higher than the competition but made waaaay better than the competition. (Posted on 11/25/16)

QualityReview by 96 DR Suzuki SE

Over the past month I have purchased two sets of these Tank Panniers. I have an old 96 DR 350 that the regular size work great as throw over saddle bags and the Competition work great as tank bags on the oversize fuel tank. Perfect Dual Sport bags, I have put so far over one thousand miles (mostly highway) with the bags in place no issues at all. Well worth the price compared to other bags on the market and you can't beat the quality. (Posted on 7/28/16)

Finally some tank bags that work on my KLR IMS tankReview by Joseph

Great set of bags for my 2001 KLR with oversized IMS tank. Fit perfectly, with out blocking my legs, but do work well for blocking a little wind. Love the Hi-Viz color.(Posted on 1/4/16)

Competition Tank PanniersReview by Tom

I have had the black (yellow wasn't available then) Competition Tank Panniers for a very long time! They fit my KLR perfectly, and add some wind protection. They aren't waterproof, so I either use Zip-Loc bags, or only store stuff in them that can stand getting damp.
Overall, I LOVE them! I just wish they were hi-viz!!! (Posted on 9/29/14)

Tank PanniersReview by Colin

I bought these Panniers for my 2014 Ducati Multistrada Granturismo. They fit well,the straps closer to the rider did not want to go perpendicular with the gas tank. let the straps go the way they wants to on an angle up and over the gas cover. The configuration of the tank dictates this. After securing the lower straps they hold there position well. (Posted on 6/27/14)

Tank PanniersReview by Hal

I have had the tank panniers on two bikes. I like that they carry weight low and forward, and that they shield my shins from the wind and rain. (Posted on 2/15/14)

Extremely Functional Tank PanniersReview by Zorro

Bought the full size black set of panniers several years ago, when they were on sale, plus a discount on shipping cost. A truly wise investment. They are now standard, necessary riding equipment on the BMW R65. They are easy to load with the plastic inserts holding their shape. Now I put the heavier camping gear and air pump, tools, and parts into black plastic bags, just for extra rain protection. Keeps a heavy load low and forward, which has improved bike handling. The wind protection in colder weather improves leg warmth and drier legs while driving in rain. The bags are easy to put on and remove. The Velcro straps that span the tank clear the gas cap. My tank bag sits very nicely above, with its' own pockets, so I don't have to ride with anything in the pockets of my riding clothes. (Posted on 2/14/14)

Areostitch Tank PanniersReview by Duane

These panniers (in my opinion) are very nice. I use them on a DR650 w/aftermarket large tank. These bags have a wide range of adjustability. Took me a bit to get the fit I desired and while on a 10 Colorado (mostly off road) excursion, no real rain, but river crossings were involved, these worked great. Didn't move a bit (crashed once too, during a river crossing). I have long legs and while seated for a period of time, I slid back in on the seat, but small compromise for all the plusses the added for me. Wind protection, and I rode in some sort of cold (35ish later in the days). Though not water proof, I plastic bag my contents anyway, they held enough to help out a lot. very good product. (Posted on 1/19/14)

Aerostich Tank PanniersReview by Tim

Ordered the Tank Panniers to install on my R1200GSLC. They fit very well with some adjusting. The bags do not move at all and offer more wind protection. A great addition for more storage space. Very happy with the product. (Posted on 10/9/13)

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THE TANK PANNIER SECRETS

From the start we were always afraid to tell our customers these were sized specifically for carrying two one gallon cans of gasoline, because we thought recommending this would be dangerous, so they were never presented this way in any Aerostich catalog. We never ended up using them for that ourselves. They were introduced in 1988, because back then nobody else made anything like them, and we did think someday we occasionally might want to be able to carry some extra gas.

Sales were low at first but later they became more popular and others began making similar ones. One company even made an exact ‘reverse engineered’ copy after taking the pattern from one of ours. What made this especially funny was that company not only stole the design stitch-for-stich, but also lifted the product description word-for-word from our catalog directly to theirs.

Today there are lots of different tank pannier choices, but these remain popular. Their simplicity, many functional details, high quality and general versatility are why. People have hauled just about everything in them, all over the world. They fit a lot of different bikes well, and have become a minor classic.

That fits the Aerostitch tank panniers. Their simplicity makes them very practical in use and appearance. What a breath of fresh air to have a product that is totally utilitarian without the clutter of goofy graphics and busy, unnecessary pockets, straps, etc.

What you get with the standard panniers are huge cargo areas each side that keep touring weight low and forward. Water, fuel, tools, parts, camp stove, etc. Not only does it keep touring handling to a naked bike feel, but it takes lots of weight stress off the rear sub-frame of my venerable BMW R60/6. In position, these bags hold firmly, resting against the tank sides on large sheets of dense, black foam rubber and secured at the bottom by adjustable, fabric bungi cords.

I had some question as to whether the panniers would hang down to the airhead cylinders and whether they would give enough room for my knees, for a six-footer. The over-the-tank two straps are extra long, but in my case I had to take up most of the slack via the Velcro adjustments and the panniers are well above the cylinders and forward of my knees. I could cut off the excess strap ends, and they are cross-sewed every inch for that purpose, but I wish to retain future options for use on other machines, or for the use by friends.

The construction and material quality is outstanding. These panniers are evidence of what a small, dedicated group of people can accomplish when allowed to do what is right. These are well engineered and thought out.

You could find cheaper tank panniers, but for the cost of lunch you can have what to me seems to be the best. These bags are the black standard size, better than the "competition" size for touring. If you were "uncool before uncool was cool" then these bags are you. They give my R60/6 a nerdly, mule look. El Rodento is now ready for the deserts of Southeast Oregon, if only the man will give me some time off!"